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By Justina Auta
An NGO, Hope for Second Chance (HOSEC) Foundation, has called for robust enforcement mechanisms to monitor pepetrators of child labour and prosecute them to serve as deterrent to others.
The Founder of HOSEC, Mrs Ibukunoluwa Otesile, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, while commemorating the World Day Against Child Day, celebrated every June 12.
She commended the efforts of government in ending child labour.
”Legislation alone is insufficient without robust enforcement mechanisms. We also urge the Nigerian government to allocate adequate resources and establish specialised units within law enforcement.
” These specialised units within the agencies should effectively monitor workplaces, conduct inspections, and hold perpetrators of child labour accountable.
” Collaboration between relevant government departments, civil society organizations, and international stakeholders is crucial for successful enforcement efforts,” she said.
She therefore, encouraged collaborative effort amongst stakeholders to create sustainable change and ensure a brighter future for Nigerian children devoid of exploitative clutches of child labour.
Otesile, highlighted the need to eradicate the menace of child labour in the country, adding that the organisation will ensure a supportive environment that will promote the potentials of children.
” We will focus on education support, where identified vulnerable children would be provided new uniforms and other educational support materials to help to contribute to a decent appearance and in turn boost their self-confidence and desire to stay in school.
” We will also engage in advocacy and Policy reforms, where we will engage with policymakers and stakeholders to advocate for stronger legislation against child labour and ensure its effective implementation.
” Our organisation will engage with community and the mass media to sensitiae parents, guardians, and community leaders about the long-term detrimental effects of child labour.
” Through strategic partnerships, we will work towards creating an environment where child rights are protected, and perpetrators of child labour are held accountable, ” she said.
NAN reports that the World Day Against Child Labour was first established in 2002 by the Internationa; Labour Organisation (ILO) to draw constant attention to the issue of child labour and to revise and revisit our strategies to eliminate child labour.
The UN General Assembly while acknowledging the magnitude of child labour, unanimously adopted a resolution declaring 2021 as the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour and has asked the ILO to take the lead in its implementation.
According to ILO’s data, hundreds of millions of girls and boys worldwide are involved in work that deprives them of receiving adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedoms, violating this way their rights.
The ILO says the worst forms of child labour include work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities such as drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.
(NAN)
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